Inspector Gadget [1999]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Strictly for kids, this 1999 live-action feature version of the popular cartoon series seems long even at 80 minutes. As a video, it's easier to take and appreciate for what works best in the story: the special effects. Matthew Broderick plays the security guard who is physically transformed into a multi-use cyborg with a zillion attachments, from stilts to helicopter blades to skis. A crimefighter in raincoat and fedora, and equipped with a nifty Gadgetmobile, the hero investigates the death of a man linked to the villainous Sanford Scolex (Rupert Everett). Scolex, who blames Gadget for having to wear a prosthetic hand, develops an evil robot twin of the good inspector, causing much mischief and giving Broderick an opportunity to poke fun at his own performance of the virtuous Inspector. The action is shaky, the script plods along, and the effects soon take over; Everett has to go to the extremes of hamminess just to be seen above it. But children of a certain age will almost certainly engage with the more clever stuff and forgive the rest. --Tom Keogh

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Synopsis
John Brown, a clueless security guard, experiences the wrath of the evil Dr Claw, but Dr Brenda Bradford transforms John into Inspector Gadget - who is the ultimate crime-fighting tool...

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2006-09-10 rating:
Expecting More?
Inspector Gadget is a Walt Disney release, so straight away I had high hopes for the film. Sadly I was left very disappointed. The first thing I noticed before the film even started is there are no special features at all on the dvd, and considering the purchase price - it came as a surprise. I didn't let this interfere with the film, as I was looking forward to sitting down and watching what I thought was going to be an enjoyable picture. But to my surprise again, the film ended, after a mere seventy five minutes (and five minutes of that was credits) and I was left saying "is that it?" Granted some of the special effects are good, and the talking car is a nice touch which has been done well, but that doesn't compensate for the weak plot, dialogue, shallow acting, monotone structure, and general boredom that Inspector Gadget gives you. I feel that there is just something missing, the spark that makes a film great just isn't there. A few times I was sitting there, shaking my head and thinking how the actors are saying what they are saying and what were the writers thinking? I like the idea that is Inspector Gadget but unfortunately the film just doesn't deliver. Perhaps I'm just a bit too old for the concept and I'm expecting too much?

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review by: date: 2001-12-02 rating:
Quality!!!
Not very much like the cartoon (which I thought was very funny as a kid) but this is a good film. Mathew Broderick is a very funny man and played "Inspector Gadget" very well. Michelle Trachtenberg (yum) who plays Penny is not only a talented actress but in my opinion the finest looking young woman on the face of this planet! A very good film. BUY IT!!

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review by: date: 2000-10-04 rating:
This is a Brilliant film!
When I went to see it for my birthday me and my friends really enjoyed it we wanted to see it again and again it was so good.After that we rented the video and all wanted to watch. I would defenetly reccomend this film because even my step dad and mum enjoyed it and they don`t normally like watching films at the cinemas.

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review by: date: 2000-09-06 rating:
A special FX laden Disney movie
From the very beginning, anyone can see that this movie is not going to be all together serious. Matthew Broderick is officer John Brown who is transformed into a kid's robocop by a scientist's daughter. Forget the subplot about a stolen mechanical foot, just enjoy Matthew Broderick's relentless mugging, his misadventures with his new gadgets and Rupert Everett's deliciously camped up over the top performance as the evil Dr. Scolex (or Dr. Claw to the cartoon's purist fans). It's a fun movie, but its cartoony tendencies will not appeal to most adults. Kids will love it though.


review by: date: 2000-07-16 rating:
fun if you are a kid
Adults will rember the cartoon series, this is not it. Disney has made a live action film that most adults will not care for, but if you are in your early teens or younger (8+) then you will find the film a fun time to watch. The effects are good but the best is the gadget mobile (the best thing in the film) and worth watching for that alone.

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Similar products

Inspector Gadget 2 [2003]
Spy Kids [2001]
Spy Kids 2 - The Island Of Lost Dreams [2002]
George Of The Jungle [1997]
Honey, I Shrunk The Kids [1989]

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Similar categories

Video . Video . Categories . Comedy . General
Video . Video . Categories . Children's Videos . Family Favourites . General
Video . Video . Categories . Children's Videos . Disney . All Titles
Video . Video . Categories . Children's Videos . Disney . Family Films
Video . Video . Refinements . Condition (condition-type)
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Comedy . All Comedy
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . BBFC Rating (intended_use_browse-bin) . U
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 1990 - 1999
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Standard Edition
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . English
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . VHS

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